Craig Biggio GU Bats

Mike,

You helped me out a while back on some Biggio and Bagwell bat records. I have a couple of additional questions on Biggio bats. First, do any 34" and 31.5 ounce bats show up from the 1991-97 labeling era? Second, can you tell from the records when he received his first order of signature model bats? I know it happened somewhere in the late 1992 to 1994 era, but not sure exactly? Finally, is it posisble for a 31.5 ounce bat to be recorded as 32 ounce? What is the mass tollerance?

Thanks a ton!

Hi Chris--

Here is some info on Biggio's orders that may be useful:

Re 1991-1997 bats with dimensions of 34 inches and 31.5 ounces, there are none documented in the factory records. However, ALL of his orders during that period (at least through 7/30/97 - approximately 50 orders)were 34 inches in length. Until June, 1996, virtually all of his orders were 32 ounces ....thereafter orders are found with weights of 32.5 ounces and 33 ounces..... There is a high probability that a bat, depending on storage conditions, could increase or decrease by a half ounce. Some authenticators use a variance of + four ounces, which I feel is a bit too liberal for any bat, and clearly too liberal for a bat manufactured as recently as 1991-1997. Regardless, a 34 inch, 31.5 ounce Biggio bat is certainly within the acceptable range of matching documented factory records for that label period. You might check the knob very closely under magnification to see if any remnants of the number 32, representing the weight, exist on the knob as marked by the factory prior to shipping (not always, but useful if it is there.)

Also, just as additional info, Biggio generally ordered model H176 bats during that period, with the very occasional order of D143 (2 orders), B348 (13 orders), and M216 (3 orders).

Regarding the first appearance of Biggio's signature model bats, it is impossible to tell from the computerized records that were implemented in 1981. Generally, when a player signed a contract with H & B, two bats were made with his signature and sent to him, basically for approval. Here is how I would analyze Biggio's potential first signature model bat:

First, you state that you believe it occurred between 1992 and 1994. That would mean there are no Biggio signature models that have surfaced with 1986-1989 labeling (his first H & B order was 7/8/87) or with 1990 labeling. I do not know that as a fact, but know that if one has surfaced from pre-1992, you would probably be aware of it. Looking at Biggio's orders from 1992 to 1994, there are no orders documented as shipped to tha Astros with a quantity of two bats. There are however, orders shipped to Baseball Promotions, with specified model, length, and weight (presumed for the player's professional use) in quantities of two on 7/10/92,8/19/92, and 9/15/92. It may be that one of those orders was biggio's first signature model bats, but that is only a guess. It may also be that his first signature model bats were shipped in a quantity of more than two bats. Unless someone has the actual date of Biggio's endorsement contract with H & B, it may only be able to be narrowed down to the 1991-1997 labe period, and possibly more specified by a specifically dated signature model bat in someone's collection.

Good Luck

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

Mike! Great info as usual! I appreciate the help. I currently own 31 Biggio GU Bats, dating from the 1986-89 labeling period to 2006 bats from this month.

Obviously, the tough (long) era is 1991-97. Of the 31 bats, 7 are from the 1991-97 labeling period. Here is a breakdown:

3 have "CRAIG BIGGIO" in block letters. These 3 also have the dated tape on the knob from when the Astros sold bats with dated COAs from the late 1980s to Mid-1994 in the team store. These are dated between 5/91 and 7/92.

4 are Craig Biggio signature model bats. One has the dated tape on the knob from 6/94. The other 3 are post the Astros dating practices.

Therefore, I have never owned a "documented" 1993 bat, but have suspected he started using signature model bats sometime between 7/92 and 6/94 based on my collection.

Thanks again for the info!

Finally somebody has noticed Biggio, he has been underappricated for a decade. I was wondering if you have records for him from 1989 I have a block letter BIGGIO model B348 and was wondering how many orders he had for that model in 89. I have norrowed it down to 89 because of the 7 on the knob he wore 4 in 88. Thanks
Mike
Mike Sharon
george.sharon@cyfairvfd.org

Mike,

I agree 100%. You are correct about your bat, it must be a 1989 because of his number change. However, I have had 2 1986-89 labeling period bats used in 1990 (with COAs from the Astros team store and corresponding dated tape), but it is most likely 1989.

Mike Specht, I hope you don't mind, but here is the info I asked about about a year ago and you replied to:

Craig Biggio 1986-89 labeling period:
H176: 34 / 31 (21 bats) and 34 / 32 (18)
D143: 34 / 32 (12)
B348: 34 / 32 (75)
M216: 34 / 32 (15)

Biggio 1990 labeling period:
B348 34 / 32 (60)
H176: 34 / 32 (12)

Biggio 1991-97 labeling period;
H176: 34 / 32 (507) and 34 / 32,5 (141) and 34 / 33 (46)
D143: 34 / 32 (6)

Any interest in selling your 1989 bat Mike???

Thanks,

Biggio is really going to heat up next season. With 3000 hits all but a lock. Has he used any other bats besides LS. Always see him with natural color LS M9's of late. Does he ever change colors. Look forward to seeing Biggio bat records when it's all done on Chris site.... I'd love to get his batting helmet, that thing has some great use to it.

That's some awsome data. Is that stuff on a web site somewhere?

Chris --- No problem with searching out previous posts and putting them up....it makes things very easy...

Mike --- specifically in 1989 there were 7 orders of B348 bats shipped to Biggio, totaling approximately 63 bats (1/12/89 to 9/12/89).All were 34 inches / 32 ounces. Also, another two dozen 34-inch B348 bats were sent to Baseball Miscellaneous on 9/6/89 and 10/6/89 without any weight designation...see the recent post on Baseball Miscellaneous and Baseball Promotions shipments.

Skinner -- this is the only website with true interactive participation in presenting complete H & B records. In addition to the HOF Players Bat Charts in the reference library section of Game Used Forum, we have information from approximately 500 or so records from H & B available with which to respond to questions. Additionally, many other forum members unselfishly respond with information they have researched and obtained over the years,


Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

Mike,
Thanks for the info, and im not worried about the baseball miss. i know where this came from and who walked out of the clubhouse with it so im not worried.
oh and Chris im still waiting for a reply about the biggio pants, locker room t shirt and 91 team bat i sent you for sale.
thanks
Mike
george.sharon@cyfairvfd.org

Mike,

I don't recall seeing an e-mail from you. I would have replied, especially for Astros items. Please resend it.

Thanks,